Switch for automobile signal lamps



oct. 25, 1927. 1,646,419

L. H. PECK SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILE' SIGNAL LAMPS Filed Deo. 50. l921 3 Sheets-$heet l J1 if.;

@2-wlmuummunnlmmlmunnnmnuL wil Oct6 25, 1927. 1,646,419

l 1 .A H. PEcK SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILE SIGrNALl LAMPS Filed Dec. 30. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll n u Gunn/lilium:um11111111111111111111 danum:ummmlllllllllmlllllll//ml Mza/fa@ 'om z5-,1927; 4 1,646,419

L. H. PECKl SWITCH FOR- AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL LAMPS Filed-Dec. so. 1921 A "3 ,sheets-sheet s ffii?.

Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

1,646,419 T oFFicE.

' LEEH. Prox, or CLEVELAND, c1110.

SWITCH'FOR AUTOMOBILE `SIGNAL LAMPS.

Application filed December 30, 1921. Serial No.1525,833.l

This invention'relates to electric switches for use in connection with automobile signal systems. J A

The object of thefinvention, is to provide a simple and improved switch capable of actuation by one or both of two of the control devices of a motor, vehicle to produce two distinct signals-for a following driver, such for example as the words Slow and Stop, I

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of this kind which may be operated by comparatively small movement of the vehicle` control devices, which can .be easily attached to the vehicle, which Y encloses and protects the switch parts from dirt and weather conditions, and which has other advantages as will appear more fully hereafter.

The invention comprises the switch hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Fig. 1 represents a plan view of. a `switch embodying the invention and showing the same connectedto two control devices of the motor vehicle; Fig. 2 is .a plan view of the switch, `on a larger scale,.with the cover omitted. to.A expose -interior parts; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 vis adiagrammatic view illustratingone signaling system in which the invention may be used; Figs. 5

and 6 are views correspondingto Figs. 2 and 3, but` illustrating another embodimentof lthe invention; Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views illustratinganother modification, Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line 9-9, Fig. 7; Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are views corresponding to Figs. 7 ,l 8 and 9 and illustrating still another form of the invention. y

The switch `forming the subject matter `of the present application is vcapableof yuse in many different forms of automobile signaling system butis primarily designed for use in controlling the electriccircuitsto either of two signaling devices, such as lamps illuminating two different signals. Said switch maybe actuated, for example, by any two or even more of the following devices, to wit,

the clutch pedal `or mechanism actuated` thereby, the service brake, the emergency brake, `the throttle pedal or hand lever or parts operated thereby, or the steering wheel or` mechanism. According to one suitable arrangement, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 the signaling system comprises aA circuit 1 connected to the battery 2, said circuit including two vparalleler branch circuits 3` each concables or wires 5, connected to two of the control devices or' the vehicle, such as'the service brake pedal 6 and the clutch pedal 7. As will appear, depression of either one of said pedals actuates the switch Sto produce thefslow signal, while thedepression of bot-h pedals simultaneously actua-,tes the switch to produce the stop signal. The switch S, one form of which is shown in detail -in Figs. 2 and 3, comprisesa suitable base or frame portion 8 shown as a hollow box,` the rim or wall 9 of which is provided with ears 1() passing through slots ina cover plate lland bent over to secure the box and cover xtogetlier. y Screws 12` are passed through openingsin the cover intoa suitable support on thevehicle, such' as one of the floor boards 13. In the box or casing are located two contacts 14 insulated from said casing `and having exposed terminals 15 to which the branch circuit wires 3 are connected. Above said contacts is located a bar member-16 sliding through openings in the casing and provided with a spring contact 17 .v One end of saidbar carries a terminal 18 ,for the main-,circuit wire 1 and also a sutabIeabutment, such as a washer 19, for

the compression spring20 which normally moves the barl 16 to the rightin Fig. 3. In the larger partoil the casing they bar 16 is provided with a transversely extending equalizing lever 21 loosely pivoted at 22 to said bar andto the opposite arms of which are Yconnected tension springs 23 connected to the two wires 5 before referred to.

Y The normal position of the parts, Awith dotted lines,Fig. 2. y spring contact 17 lies tol the right of both of the contacts 14;` the ,lever 21 is truly transverse' and both pedals 6 and 7 are up both branch'circuits 3 open, is indicated-in In this position the or released. Wheneither pedal 6 or 7 alone is depressed the lever 21 is tilted about-one of its ends as a fulcrurn against the resistance of the other spring 23 to thev full line position, Fig. 2. This operation moves the spring contact 17 to the first'cooperating` contact 14 and closes the circuit through one of the lamps 4. If the other pedal 6 or 7 is then depressed, or if both pedals 6 and 7 are depressed simultaneously, the bar 16 is moved to the left an additionalv step, so that lever 21l lies truly transverse but to the left of its original position-and the spring contact 17 engages thefsecond contact 14, thereby closing the circuit 3 to the second lamp '4 to produce a different signal. If the first lamp 4 illuminates the word Slow and the second the word Stop the effect is to produce a slow signal whenever either the clutch or brake alone is actuated and a stop signal when both are actuated.

In the construction shown yin Figs. 2 and 3 the yswitch is what may be called a live switch. In other words, the circuit includes parts in conducting relation with the casing and cover. Therefore, the switch casing should be carried by a wooden floor board 13 or if connected to a metal part of the framev 'should be insulated therefrom. Also insulating washers 24 should be inserted in the cables 5.

Figs. 5 and 6 show what may be called a dead switch, to wit, one in which the circuit does not include any parts in conducting relation with the casing, cover or pull wires. In this arrangement the bar 16 is` mounted and is actuated in the same manner as in the'form before described. yIt carries a spring Contact 17a insulated from said bar, said spring contact beingof suflcient width to bridge vthe lgap between a contact 25 and either of two contacts 26, 27, said contacts 25, 26 and y27 being all mounted in the `bottom of the box and insulated therefrom and provided with terminal portions 28 to which the lead wires are-connected. In this ar.- rangement `the'circuit Vwire 1-is connected to contact 25 and the wires to contacts 26 and-27. In the normal position of the parts with both circuits open the spring contact 17a lies to the right of the position shown in Fig. 6 with one end contacting with contact 26 only. The first-movement to the left of .bar 16 by actuation of either one of the vehicle control devices, moves contact 17 a to the 4.position shown, where wire Ibridges y thegap between the contacts 25 and 26,

whilethe second movementto the left of bar 16 vby actuation of both pedals, causes i contact 17a to bridge the gap between the contacts 25, 27.V .It is unnecessary to' insulate the casing `of this switch from lany portion of the 4vehicle frame.

VFigs. 7, 8 and 9show a switch provided with-contacts similar `all respects to those plication of about two to one. Fig. 7 shows r one of the pull wires-the one at the toppulled over vto'move theswitch to its first position. The second movement, caused by tlieother pull wire, is vobvious from the drawing. This arrangement has the advantage of producing full movement of the switch members with materially reduced m0` tion of the control devices of the vehicle. l It may be used with either the live or dead switches.l v Y Y l Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show another arrangement of switch of live form requiring insulation from the vehicle frame of the switch operating parts.v The main circuit wire 1 is connecte-d. tol a terminal at one end of bar 16, as before. Said bar carries a conducting spring contact 17 b which cooperates with a contact 14b insulated from the casing and having a terminal 15b on the outside thereof. The transverseequalizing lever 2lb, in this form ofthe invention, serves not only-asian actuatingl member for the switch, but also as a switch contact. This lever is in conduct.- ing relation with bar 16 and springs 23are connected to vsaidV lever between its central pivotpoint .22b and the outer ends of its two arms. Whenever either spring is pulled the lever turns aboutthe point ofits ,connection to -the, other-spring as a pivot, therebymoving thefree end of the' lever into contactwith atlange 31 of an angle member 325 mounted 1n the .casing and insulated therefrom and providedwith a binding post32b. The two branchwires 3 of the circuit are connected respectively to thel binding posts 821, and 15". l/Vhenever either one of the vpull wires is pulledover the, lever 21 moves` into engage- 1. Switch'mechanism `fo1' ,velii ole.stop sig.- i

nels, Compri-.Sina a' heller. Casing .Sldeble circuit controlling v memberI therein, yielding means for moving the same in one direction, alever pivotally connected between its ends to said sliding member and lying within said 2. Switch mechanism for vehicle stop sig? nals, comprising a hollow casing, a slidable member therein, an equalizin'g lever pivotally connected to said member and adapted for actuation'by either of two vehicle control devices, and a contact carried by and movable with said slidable member for controlling a signal circuit.

3. Switch mechanism for vehicle stop sig nals, comprising a hollow casing carrying contacts adapted for connection to two signal circuits, a slidable member within said casing, means for yieldably moving the same in one direction, an' equalizing lever pivoted to said sliding member and adapted for actuation by two vehicle control devices, and means wherebyv actuation of said lever and sliding member completes a circuit to one of said casing supported contacts.

4. Switch mechanism for vehicle stop signals, comprising a hollow casing, a movable member therein arranged to control twocircuits, iirst named means within said casing and connected to said member, two separate means connected to said first named means,

for operation of the same by either or both oftwo vehicle control devices, said first named means upon operation being adapted torengage the casing for limitation of its movement.

In testimony whereof I hereby a-HX my signature.`

i LEE H. PEoK. 

